ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

J.B. Pritzker, Governor | illinois.gov

Wildlife Illinois

Hunt Planner

Announcements

Public Duck and Goose Hunting Area Permit First Lottery Begins August 16!

Cretaceous Hills State Natural Area

    Site Contact Info

    Site Map

    Site Characteristics

    • Huntable acres: 264
    • Habitat: Cretaceous Hills SNA is characterized by steep to rolling hills of both wooded and open habitats.  The 511 acre property is comprised of two separate areas, the State Natural Area to the northeast and the Nature Preserve to the southwest.  No hunting is allowed in the Nature Preserve.  There are currently no parking lots for this area. Active habitat management will be occurring throughout the year on the site.

    Site Specific Regulations

    • All statewide hunting regulations apply at site unless noted hereafter.
    • Site requires use of windshield card, displayed on vehicle dashboard, to report hunting effort and harvest by 15 February.
    • Use Hunt Planner to find hunting seasons open at this site.
    • Hunters may leave stands unattended from September 15 – January 31. Stands must be legibly marked with owner’s name, address and telephone number.
    • Hunting is on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no quotas or drawings
    • Hunting is allowed in the state natural area ONLY. No hunting is allowed in the nature preserve.
    • All motorized vehicles must remain on roads or in access areas. No ATVs (all terrain vehicles), bicycles, horses or mules are permitted on Cretaceous Hills. Person-pulled carts can be used to retrieve deer in remote areas.
    • All snakes are protected in this area. Snakes are beneficial reptiles and part of the natural ecosystem.
    • Species-specific rules:

    Deer

    • Statewide regulations for Archery, Firearm, Muzzleloader, and Youth seasons.

    Turkey

    • Statewide regulations for Spring, Fall, and Youth seasons.

    Waterfowl

    • No waterfowl hunting offered.

    Squirrels/Rabbits

    • Squirrels
      • Statewide regulations.
    • Rabbits
      • Statewide regulations.
      • Non-toxic shot only.
      • Hunters must wear a cap and upper outer garment containing at least 400 square inches of solid and vivid blaze orange.

    Upland Birds

    • Quail, Pheasant
      • Statewide regulations.
      • Non-toxic shot only.
      • Hunters engaged in quail hunting must wear a cap and upper outer garment containing at least 400 square inches of solid and vivid blaze orange.
    • No Dove hunting opportunity.

    Furbearers

    • Hunting
      • Statewide regulations.
    • Trapping
      • Statewide regulations.

    Amenities

    • None